Illuminating display systems

ABSTRACT

An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/119,496, filed May 13, 2008, which is now U.S.Pat. No. 8,127,477 B2, inventors Mark D. Lowenthal et al., entitled“Illuminating Display Systems”, which is commonly assigned herewith, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference with thesame full force and effect as if set forth in their entirety herein, andwith priority claimed for all commonly disclosed subject matter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general is related to illuminating objects fordisplay, and more specifically is related to systems, apparatuses andmethods for providing electrical power to self-illuminating objects fordisplay.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a competitive product marketplace, it has become desirable to providedifferent methods of distinguishing one product from another, and makingone product more attractive to users or consumers than another product.Entire fields of marketing, advertising, and graphic arts have, in manyinstances, been devoted to such marketing efforts.

One prior art display method has consisted of providing distinctivelighting to various products on display. For example, in Lynch et al.U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0022644, shelving units are designed toincorporate lighting mechanisms, which in turn provide distinctivelighting to the products displayed.

Attempts have been made to also provide for product packaging to provideits own illumination. For example, in the above-referenced publication,a package or container was provided incorporating an electroluminescent(“EL”) panel. Providing alternating current (“AC”) power to such apanel, however, is quite problematic. In U.S. Patent Publication No.2007/0022644, electrical wires were provided from the EL panel (on theproduct) to a power source hidden from view. This is not a suitablesolution, however, because the consumer or user cannot remove theproduct from the display without disconnecting the wires from the hiddenpower supply. In addition, this could be a hazardous process unsuitablefor most commercial or practical applications, such as in a retailgrocery store, with safety and liability concerns.

Other methods of providing illumination or other lighting to packaginghas involved incorporating a power supply within the packaging, such asincluding a battery within the package to power light emitting diodes(“LEDs”) provided on the package. This prior art method is alsoinadequate, as either switching would have to be provided on the packageto turn the light source on or off, or the battery may become depletedbefore the merchandise has been removed from the point of purchase. Thisis also an expensive method, requiring separate electronics and aseparate power source for each article to be sold. In addition, onceremoved from the point of purchase, the packaging may still be operable,which in some circumstances may raise a safety concern.

Yet other methods of providing power to objects has typically alsoinvolved incorporating a battery and lighting source (such as an LED)within a hand-held object, such as an electric toothbrush or electricrazor, with the lighting source typically used to indicate that thebattery is being charged when the hand-held object is secured in itscharging base. These prior art devices include considerable electronicswithin the hand-held objects, including various rectifiers, capacitors,resistors, motors, and other power converters, which must be provided asdiscrete or integrated electronic components. These devices also utilizecomparatively thick, solenoid-shaped inductors to transfer power betweenthe base and the hand-held device. Again, this is also an expensivemethod, requiring separate electronics and a separate power source foreach object.

Accordingly, a need remains to provide a system for self-illuminatingdisplay objects. Such a system should provide power to the displayobject without requiring an electrical connection to a separate powersupply. In addition, such a system should be able to receive energy topower its illumination source without requiring the incorporation ofswitching and driving electronics and power sources within the displayobject, such as within the packaging for a consumer product. The displayobjects having the illumination source should be capable ofmanufacturing at low cost, such as through a printing process, includingmanufactured as part of the packaging or container of the incorporatedcontents. Lastly, such as system should provide for the illuminationsource to be sealed or self-contained, without external connectionsrequired, and further, to be inert when removed from the point ofpurchase display or other support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a system,method, and apparatuses for self-illuminating display objects. Theexemplary system, method, and apparatuses provide power to the displayobject without requiring an electrical connection to a separate powersupply. The exemplary system, method, and apparatuses provide energy topower an illumination source without requiring the incorporation ofswitching and driving electronics and power sources within the displayobject, such as within the packaging for a consumer product. The displayobjects having the illumination source are capable of being manufacturedat low cost, such as through a printing process, including manufacturedas part of the packaging or container of the incorporated contents. Theexemplary system, method, and apparatuses also provide for theillumination source to be sealed or self-contained, without externalconnections required, and further, to be inert when removed from thepoint of purchase display or other support.

Another significant feature of an exemplary embodiment of the emittingapparatus is that it consists of passive electronic elements anddevices, and may be provided in a completely sealed form. This hassignificant benefits for use in packaging provided to consumers, such asfor safety and control concerns, and is discussed in greater detailbelow.

Another significant feature of an exemplary embodiment of the inventiveemitting apparatus is that it may be either disposable or reusable. Forexample, the emitting apparatus may be included within various types ofpackaging, which may then be disposed of by the user when theincorporated or included product has been consumed.

An exemplary system for illuminating a display object comprises a powerregulator and an emitting apparatus. The power regulator comprises acontroller and a primary inductor coupled to the controller, with thecontroller adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primaryinductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emittingapparatus is magnetically or otherwise removably couplable to the powerregulator, with the emitting apparatus comprising an illumination sourceand a secondary inductor. In selected embodiments, the secondaryinductor is directly coupled to the illumination source.

In exemplary embodiments, the secondary inductor and at least a portionof the illumination source may comprise a cured conductive ink orpolymer, and also may be incorporated within a merchandise package.Depending on the contents, the merchandise package may have a spacerstructure between the secondary inductor and a space or location forholding merchandise. An exemplary embodiment may also provide that thesecondary inductor and the at least a portion of the illumination sourceare incorporated within an adhesive label or package label.

The exemplary illumination source is adapted to emit visible light whenthe power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor iswithin a predetermined distance of the primary inductor, and may beelectronically inert when not within the predetermined distance of theprimary inductor.

The exemplary secondary inductor is adapted to receive a magnetic fluxfrom the primary inductor and generate a first secondary inductorvoltage. Typically, the first primary inductor voltage has a firstpolarity, and the controller is further adapted to provide the voltageor current to the primary inductor to generate a second primary inductorvoltage having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. The powerregulator may have any configuration of a plurality of configurations,including a flyback configuration, for example.

In selected exemplary embodiments, the illumination source comprises anelectroluminescent panel or display. An exemplary electroluminescentpanel or display typically comprises: a first conductor coupled to thesecondary inductor; a dielectric layer; an emissive layer comprising aplurality of phosphor particles suspended in a cured polymer; and asecond, optically transmissive conductor coupled to the emissive layerand to the secondary inductor. In an exemplary embodiment, it may alsocomprise at least one color layer, which in turn may further comprise aplurality of fluorescent inks or dyes. An exemplary method ofmanufacturing this exemplary emitting apparatus comprises: printing thesecondary inductor and the first conductor using a conductive ink orpolymer; printing the dielectric layer; printing the emissive layer; andprinting the second, optically transmissive conductor. More generally,an exemplary method of manufacturing the emitting apparatus comprisesprinting the secondary inductor and at least a portion of theillumination source using a conductive ink or polymer.

In other selected exemplary embodiments, the illumination sourcecomprises: at least one light emitting diode; and at least one blockingdiode coupled to the at least one light emitting diode and furthercoupled to the secondary inductor.

In selected exemplary embodiments, the emitting apparatus does notinclude any additional active electronic components or any battery. Inaddition, the emitting apparatus may be substantially sealed. Anexemplary method of manufacturing the emitting apparatus comprisesprinting the secondary inductor and at least a portion of theillumination source using a conductive ink or polymer.

An exemplary system is a merchandise display system, which furthercomprises a support structure adapted to support the power regulatorwithin a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, withthe display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporatedmerchandise. The power regulator may be disposed along or within ahorizontal member of the support structure, or disposed along or withina rear, vertical member of the support structure. In another exemplaryembodiment, the power regulator is portable and disposed to bepositioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure. Anexemplary power regulator is couplable to an AC or DC power source,separately or through a support structure, and the DC power source maybe provided through an Ethernet connection, for example.

In selected exemplary embodiments, the secondary inductor issubstantially planar. Also in selected exemplary embodiments, theprimary inductor is substantially planar.

Another exemplary embodiment provides an illumination system comprising:a support structure adapted to support a display object; a powerregulator coupled to the support structure, the power regulatorcomprising a controller and a primary inductor coupled to thecontroller, the controller adapted to provide a voltage or current tothe primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage; andan emitting apparatus coupled to the display object, the emittingapparatus comprising an illumination source and a secondary inductorcoupled to the illumination source, the illumination source adapted toemit visible light when the secondary inductor is within a predetermineddistance of the primary inductor when the power regulator is in anon-state.

The secondary inductor may comprise a cured conductive ink or polymerand has a substantially planar or flat form factor, and the primaryinductor may also have a substantially planar or flat form factor. Inaddition, the secondary inductor may be directly coupled to theillumination source.

In selected exemplary embodiments, the display object comprises apackage and package contents, and wherein the emitting apparatus isintegrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to thepackage of the display object. In other selected exemplary embodiments,the display object comprises a container and liquid contents, andwherein the emitting apparatus is integrally formed with, or printed on,or adhesively attached to the container of the display object.

Another exemplary display system for illuminating merchandise comprises:a support structure adapted to support a display object; a powerregulator comprising a controller and a substantially planar primaryinductor coupled to the controller; and an emitting apparatus coupled tothe display object, the emitting apparatus comprising anelectroluminescent illumination source and a substantially planarsecondary inductor coupled to the electroluminescent illuminationsource.

Another exemplary illumination system comprises: a support structureadapted to support a plurality of display objects; one or more powerregulator coupled to the support structure, a power regulator comprisingone or more controllers and one or more primary inductors coupled to theone or more controller, each controller adapted to provide a voltage orcurrent to a selected primary inductor to generate a first primaryinductor voltage; and a plurality of emitting apparatuses, acorresponding emitting apparatus of the plurality of emittingapparatuses coupled to a corresponding display object of the pluralityof display objects, each emitting apparatus comprising an illuminationsource and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, eachillumination source adapted to emit visible light when the coupledsecondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of a correspondingprimary inductor when the power regulator is in an on-state.

An exemplary method of illuminating a display object is also provided,with an illumination source coupled to or integrated with the displayobject. The exemplary method comprises: energizing a primary inductor toprovide a first primary voltage; receiving a magnetic flux from theprimary inductor and generating a first secondary voltage in a planarsecondary inductor; applying the first secondary voltage to theillumination source; and energizing the illumination source to emitvisible light.

The exemplary method may further comprise: energizing the primaryinductor to provide a second primary voltage having a polarity oppositea first primary voltage polarity; receiving a magnetic flux from theprimary inductor and generating a second secondary voltage in a planarsecondary inductor, the second secondary voltage having a polarityopposite a first secondary voltage polarity; applying the secondsecondary voltage to the illumination source; and energizing theillumination source to emit visible light. The exemplary method may alsocomprise detecting a presence of a display object; detecting whendisplay object is no longer within a predetermined distance of theprimary inductor; detecting a pulse duration of a voltage across theprimary inductor and adjusting the first primary voltage; and oradjusting a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the firstprimary voltage.

An exemplary emitting apparatus for illuminating a display object isprovided, with the apparatus magnetically couplable to a power regulatorhaving a primary inductor to generate a primary inductor voltage. Theexemplary apparatus comprises: an illumination source; and a secondaryinductor directly coupled to the illumination source.

Another exemplary emitting apparatus for illuminating a display objectcomprises: a secondary inductor; and an illumination source directlycoupled to the secondary inductor, the illumination source adapted toemit visible light when the secondary inductor is within a predetermineddistance of the primary inductor when the power regulator is in anon-state.

Another exemplary emitting apparatus comprises: an electroluminescentillumination source; and a substantially planar secondary inductorcoupled to the illumination source. Yet Another exemplary emittingapparatus comprises: a substantially planar secondary inductor; and anillumination source directly coupled to the secondary inductor, theillumination source adapted to emit visible light when the secondaryinductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor whenthe power regulator is in an on-state.

An exemplary power regulator apparatus for providing power forillumination of a display object is also disclosed. The exemplaryapparatus is magnetically couplable to an emitting apparatus having asecondary inductor and an illumination source. The exemplary apparatuscomprises: a substantially planar, primary inductor; and a controllercoupled to the primary inductor, the controller adapted to provide avoltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primaryinductor voltage for the illumination source to emit visible light whenthe secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primaryinductor. The exemplary apparatus may be adapted to be supported by asupport structure within a predetermined proximity to at least onedisplay object, the display object having the emitting apparatus andincorporated merchandise.

In selected embodiments, the exemplary apparatus may further comprise afeedback circuit coupled to the controller, the feedback circuitcomprising a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to a seriesresistance and capacitance. The series resistance and capacitance mayhave respective resistance and capacitance values which aresubstantially similar to or substantially correspond to an illuminationsource series resistance and capacitance. The controller may be furtheradapted to determine a pulse duration of a voltage or current of thefeedback circuit, to modify an energizing of the primary inductor inresponse to the determined pulse duration. In other selectedembodiments, the controller may be further adapted to modify anenergizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal fromthe feedback circuit, or to modify a pulse duration or frequency ofenergizing of the primary inductor in response to a feedback signal fromthe feedback circuit. The controller also may be further adapted tomodify an energizing of the primary inductor to control outputbrightness of the illumination source.

In selected embodiments, the controller further comprises a plurality ofswitches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor. The controllermay be further adapted to determine a pulse duration of an inducedvoltage or current, and to modify an on-time duration or a switchingfrequency of the plurality of switches or transistors.

The apparatus may further comprise, a memory coupled to the controller,with the memory adapted to store a predetermined value for a pulseduration of an induced voltage or current. The induced voltage orcurrent may be in the primary inductor or a second, feedback secondaryinductor. In selected embodiments, the controller is further adapted todetermine the pulse duration of the induced voltage or current, tocompare the determined pulse duration to the predetermined value, andusing a comparison result, to determine a presence or an absence of theemitting apparatus. In other selected exemplary embodiments, the memoryis adapted to store values for switching frequency or switch on timedurations or pulse widths, and the values may be provided in the form ofa look up table (LUT). The memory may also be integrated or otherwiseincluded within the controller.

Another exemplary apparatus for providing power for illumination of adisplay object comprises: a primary inductor having a substantiallyplanar form; a memory adapted to store values for switching frequency orswitch on-time durations or pulse widths; and a controller comprisingcontrol logic block and a plurality of switches, the control logic blockcoupled to the memory and to the plurality of switches, the plurality ofswitches coupled to the primary inductor, the controller adapted toswitch a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a firstprimary inductor voltage for the illumination source to emit visiblelight when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance ofthe primary inductor.

Lastly, another exemplary apparatus is disclosed for providing power forillumination of a plurality of display objects, with each display objecthaving an emitting apparatus, and with each emitting apparatus having asecondary inductor and an illumination source. The exemplary apparatuscomprises: a plurality of substantially planar, primary inductors; and acontroller coupled to the plurality of primary inductors, the controlleradapted to provide a voltage or current to each primary inductor togenerate a corresponding first primary inductor voltage for acorresponding illumination source to emit visible light when thecorresponding secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance ofthe corresponding primary inductor.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bemore readily appreciated upon reference to the following disclosure whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals are used to identify identical components in thevarious views, and wherein reference numerals with alphabetic charactersare utilized to identify additional types, instantiations or variationsof a selected component embodiment in the various views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary first system inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary second system inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplary secondsystem in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary third system inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplary third systemin accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary fourth system inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplary fourthsystem in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary firstillumination source in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary secondillumination source in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit and block diagram illustrating an exemplary fourthemitting apparatus in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a circuit and block diagram illustrating an exemplary fifthpower regulator apparatus and exemplary fifth emitting apparatus inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 12, divided into FIGS. 12A and 12B, is a diagram illustrating anexemplary first timing scheme in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a circuit and block diagram illustrating an exemplary sixthpower regulator apparatus in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14, divided into FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D is a diagramillustrating an exemplary second timing scheme in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail specific exemplary embodiments thereof, with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. In thisrespect, before explaining at least one embodiment consistent with thepresent invention in detail, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited in its application to the details of construction and tothe arrangements of components set forth above and below, illustrated inthe drawings, or as described in the examples. Methods and apparatusesconsistent with the present invention are capable of other embodimentsand of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is tobe understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, aswell as the abstract included below, are for the purposes of descriptionand should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary first system 100 inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention. The system 100comprises a (first) power regulator 140 and a (first) emitting apparatus150 (the latter being typically attached to, incorporated with orotherwise included with the display object 120). The system 100 istypically associated with a support structure 145, such as a shelf, atable, a rack, a hanger, or any other structure suitable for holding anytype of object, typically in a stationary position. For example, thesupport structure 145 may be a merchandise display shelving unit in aretail store, a bar table in a pub, a table in a consumer's kitchen, arefrigeration or freezer rack in a retail store, a signage holder in awindow, etc. The system 100 is also associated with some external powersource, such as an AC power source 155, e.g., from a line voltage (ACmain) provided by an electrical utility company, or such as a DC powersource 160, e.g., from a battery, an AC-DC converter, a network, orother sources, including power over Ethernet. The power may be providedover a physical connection, such as one or more cables or wires 195, ormay be provided wirelessly, such as via RF or microwave power, orthrough another type of connector (e.g., connector 185 in FIG. 5).Various insulator(s) 180 or other dielectrics may also be utilized, suchas to provide electrical shielding, for example.

The display object 120 may be virtually any object of any kind, shape,or material, and in any context, such as a retail establishment or auser's home, without limitation. For example, the display object 120 maybe packaging used for the sale of products at a point of purchasedisplay at a retail store, may be a container used to hold a consumableitem such as a liquid, may be a form of signage, may be an article ofclothing, etc. Coupled to or integrated with the display object 120 isthe emitting apparatus 150, which comprises an illumination source 110electrically coupled to a (first) secondary inductor (or secondarywinding) 105, such as through an electrical connection (e.g., wires)115. The illumination source 110 may be any of innumerable lightemitting devices, without limitation, and is solely required to emit atleast some light in the visible spectrum in response to a voltage, suchas an electroluminescent (“EL”) display or panel, a phosphor-based ELdisplay (illustrated in FIG. 8), a solid state electronic display, suchas a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, the emitting apparatus 150 is formed inwhole or in part by a printing or laminating process, and may be formedintegrally with the display object 120, such as printed directly on ormolded within the display object 120 (which is then a substrate 205,discussed below with reference to FIG. 8), or created separately fromthe display object 120, such as printed or laminated on an adhesivelabel, which is then affixed to the display object 120. In anotherexemplary embodiment, part or all of the emitting apparatus 150 may beformed separately, such as on a printed circuit board or an adhesivelabel, such as when the illumination source 110 may be comprised of aplurality of discrete, solid state emitters (e.g., LEDs), and thenattached to the display object 120. In yet another exemplary embodiment,the illumination source 110 is formed in whole or in part by a printingor laminating process, and may be formed integrally with the displayobject 120, and the secondary inductor 105 (formed separately) iscoupled to the illumination source 110, such as through a conductiveglue and/or lamination. Numerous variations will be apparent to thosehaving skill in the manufacturing and display arts, and all suchvariations are considered equivalent and within the scope of the presentinvention.

The power regulator 140 comprises a controller 130 coupled (connection135, such as a wire or printed conductor or conductive glue) to aprimary inductor (or primary winding) 125. The power regulator 140 mayinclude, as options, an inductor (or transformer) core 170, and/or asecond, feedback secondary inductor (or winding) 175. As anoversimplified explanation, the controller 130 provides energy to theprimary inductor 125, typically in the form of an electrical voltage oran electrical current, creating a magnetic flux in the primary inductor125. The magnetic flux is also available to the secondary inductor 105,which in turn then provides energy to the illumination source 110, alsotypically in the form of an electrical voltage or an electrical current.

In exemplary embodiments, the display object 120 is separable andremovable from the power regulator 140. When in sufficient proximity tothe power regulator 140, the illumination source 110 of the displayobject 120 emits light, typically in the visible and ultravioletspectra. Conversely, when the display object 120 is no longer insufficient proximity to the power regulator 140, such that the secondaryinductor 105 is not or is no longer receiving a sufficient magnetic fluxfrom the primary inductor 125, the illumination source 110 isinsufficiently energized and no longer emits light. It is anticipatedthat the proximity range for providing energy to the secondary inductor105 is on the order of 0-10 cm from the secondary inductor 105,depending upon their corresponding inductor sizes and current-carryingcapacities, for example and without limitation. In an exemplaryembodiment, the operational distance is on the order of 0-10 mm.

A significant feature of an exemplary embodiment of the emittingapparatus 150 is that it consists of passive electronic elements anddevices, as described above, and may be provided in a completely sealedform for protection against environmental conditions, such as moisture,humidity, etc. This has significant benefits for use in packagingprovided to consumers, such as for safety and control concerns. Becauseno power is available to the emitting apparatus 150 when it is no longerin close proximity to the primary inductor 125, the emitting apparatus150 is then functionally and electrically inert and may be mishandled,destroyed, or disposed of, without the potential for causing anelectrical shock to the user handling the emitting apparatus 150. Thisuse of passive and sealable components in the emitting apparatus 150 isparticularly advantageous when utilized in conjunction with consumerproducts, such as toys, cereal boxes, and other display objects 120which may be handled by small children.

Also quite new and novel for the system 100 is that either or both theprimary inductor 125 (of the power regulator 140) and the secondaryinductor 105 (of the emitting apparatus 150) are provided assubstantially flat, planar inductors in an exemplary embodiment (e.g.,as illustrated for the secondary inductor 105A in FIG. 10, discussedbelow). This is especially significant for the secondary inductor 105which, for example, may be printed on the packaging of the displayobject 120, such as a cardboard carton, so that a substantially planar(flat form factor) may be in the same plane as a side, bottom, or top ofthe carton, for example. That the primary inductor 125 and the secondaryinductor 105 are substantially planar, having substantially flat formfactors, is also significant for optimizing the coupling of magneticflux between them. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the primaryinductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105 may be abutting, one planarsecondary inductor 105 on top of or next to the planar primary inductor125. The substantially planar, flat form factor has the additionalbenefit of allowing for a degree of offset between the primary inductor125 and the secondary inductor 105, and nonetheless enabling a couplingof the magnetic flux, albeit less than if perfectly aligned. This is insharp contrast with prior art devices, such as rechargeable hand-helddevices discussed above, which have inductors which are not planar, donot have flat form factors, and instead have considerably moresolenoid-shaped forms which are comparatively much thicker, includingmating inductors in which one inductor is seated inside the inner coreof the other.

Another significant feature of an exemplary embodiment of the emittingapparatus 150 is that it may be either disposable or reusable. Forexample, the emitting apparatus 150 may be included within various typesof packaging (as display object(s) 120), which may then be disposed ofby the user when the incorporated or included product has been consumed.Also for example, the emitting apparatus 150 may be included within areusable display object 120, such as a cup or drinking glass, such asthe system 100C illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

This is a stark contrast with prior art devices and systems. Asindicated above, prior art systems which may have a self-illuminatingobject may require a physical, hard-wired connection between the displayobject and a power source, which the consumer must disconnect topurchase or enjoy the object. In other cases, active electronic devicesmust be included within the display object, such as batteries andtransistors or other switches. In both cases, the display object is notelectrically or otherwise inert when removed from the display system.

The primary inductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105 collectively maybe considered to form a transformer having an air gap between them,along with other intervening materials, such as packaging, insulatorssuch as plastic, and so on. The air gap may be quite small, such as whenthe primary inductor 125 and secondary inductor 105 are placed in closeproximity to each other, such as abutting, and in other instances, theair gap may be larger, such as when the primary inductor 125 and thesecondary inductor 105 are spaced apart or offset from each other. Theair gap and other intervening materials also may be considered toprovide a means for energy storage between the two inductors.

In addition, the secondary inductor 105 is separable and removable fromthe primary inductor 125. In selected embodiments, the secondaryinductor 105 is incorporated directly into packaging such as a cardboardcarton, for example, and is in fact designed to be disposable.

Also significant, no intervening active electronic components arerequired between the secondary inductor 105 and the illumination source110, also in stark contrast with the prior art. Indeed, in many of theexemplary embodiments, there are no additional electronic componentswhatsoever between the secondary inductor 105 and the illuminationsource 110, which are directly coupled, such as through a printedconductor which also is used to form the secondary inductor 105. Inother exemplary embodiments, such as to implement different operationalmodes such as regional or pixel addressability (without includingadditional secondary inductors 105 and corresponding primary inductors125), switching components may also be included (between the secondaryinductor 105 and the illumination source 110) to separately orindependently control the energizing of a selected region of theillumination source 110. (In the latter case, the secondary inductor 105and the illumination source 110 are not directly coupled, but areindirectly coupled through intervening components.) In other exemplaryembodiments, additional components may be included, such as inductors,capacitors, and resistors, coupled to the illumination source 110, tocreate circuits which can be tuned to provide a voltage to theillumination source 110 based on a selected drive frequency. This latterRLC circuitry, for example, can be used to separately or independentlydrive a selected illumination source 110 of a plurality of illuminationsources 110, using its corresponding drive frequency.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary second system100A in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view through the A-A′ plane illustrating theexemplary second system 100A in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention. In this exemplary system 100A, the display object120A is a box, and the illumination source 110 (of second emittingapparatus 150A) consists of a plurality of emitting regions whichprovide an illuminated description of the contents, “SOAP” in this case.The support structure 145A is a shelving unit, typically found in ashelving display of a retail store or outlet. The (second) powerregulator 140A is illustrated as being placed on top of a horizontalsurface of the support structure 145A, but could also be integrallyformed with the support structure 145A. The power regulator 140A isillustrated as being horizontally disposed, having a substantially flatform factor, and coupled to an AC source 155, such as by being pluggedinto an AC electrical outlet. In other embodiments, other types ofelectrical connectors may be provided, such as when the supportstructure 145A itself provides an AC or DC power source.

The illumination source 110 is disposed on a front side of the displayobject 120A. An electrical coupling 115A is provided between theillumination source 110, illustrated as a pair of wires (e.g., printedwires of a conductive ink or polymer (which are also coated or sealed))on the front of the display object 120 and continuing to the undersideor bottom of the display object 120, where it connects to the secondaryinductor 105. In the illustrated system 100A, having the secondaryinductor 105 on the bottom of the display object 120A enables thedisplay object 120A to be energized and provide self-illumination whenplaced on top of the primary inductor 125 of the power regulator 140.Any or all of the display object 120A, the emitting apparatus 150A, thepower regulator 140A and support structure 145A may each be designed tohave appropriate form factors to enable such placement of the displayobject 120A with the secondary inductor 105 in close proximity to theprimary inductor 125 and with the illumination source 110 having aproper orientation for the desired display effect.

In addition, while illustrated with only one display object 120A and onepower regulator 140A, it should be noted that a typical display system100A will include many such display objects 120, and correspondinglymany primary inductors 125 (or a corresponding number of powerregulators 140), so that each display object 120 may provideillumination. In an exemplary embodiment, one controller 130 may also beconnected to and utilized to drive a plurality of primary inductors 125.

In other exemplary embodiments, various feedback mechanisms may beutilized to provide that only the display object 120A currently in thefront of the display (support structure 145A) will be energized. Forexample, when a user removes a display object 120A from the front of thesupport structure 145A, the next display object 120 behind it will thenbe energized and will provide illumination. Such feedback mechanisms areillustrated and discussed below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary third system 100Bin accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 5 is across-sectional view through the B-B′ plane illustrating the exemplarythird system 100B in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. In this exemplary system 100B, the display object 120B isalso a box, and the illumination source 110 (of third emitting apparatus150B) consists of a plurality of emitting regions which provide anilluminated description of the contents, “SODA POP” in this case. Thesupport structure 145B is also a shelving unit, typically found in ashelving display of a retail store or outlet. The power regulator 140Bis illustrated as being placed within (and possibly integrally formedwith) a rear, vertical surface of the support structure 145B, but couldalso be separately formed and placed along the rear, vertical surface ofthe support structure 145B. The (third) power regulator 140B isillustrated as coupled to a DC source 160 using connector 185, such asby being plugged into a battery or an Ethernet connection (for powerover Ethernet). In other embodiments, other types of electricalconnectors may be provided, such as when the support structure 145Bitself provides an AC or DC power source.

The illumination source 110 is also disposed on a front side of thedisplay object 120B. An electrical coupling 115B is provided between theillumination source 110, illustrated as a pair of wires on the front ofthe display object 120B, which also may be printed, continuing along theunderside or bottom of the display object 120B, and then along the rearof the display object 120B, where it connects to the secondary inductor105. In an exemplary embodiment, all such wiring is printed using aconductive ink or polymer, and may be coated or sealed to provideelectrical insulation. In the illustrated system 100B, having thesecondary inductor 105 at the rear of the display object 120 enables thedisplay object 120 to be energized and provide self-illumination whenplaced adjacent to or near the primary inductor 125 of the powerregulator 140B, as illustrated. Any or all of the display object 120B,the emitting apparatus 150B, the power regulator 140B and supportstructure 145B may each be designed to have appropriate form factors toenable such placement of the display object 120B with the secondaryinductor 105 in close proximity to the primary inductor 125 and with theillumination source 110 having a proper orientation for the desireddisplay effect.

When the display object 120B will contain metallic contents, such asaluminum cans, a spacer 165 (such as cardboard, an air gap, or both) maybe utilized to keep the metallic contents away from the secondaryinductor 105, to avoid potential diminution of the magnetic field orflux density from the primary inductor 125. A simple cardboard spacermight need to have a thickness on the order of 1/4 to 3/8 inches. Suchan exemplary spacer potentially could be thinner, possiblysignificantly, if it has a ferromagnetic material coated on one side ofthe spacer. This could be in the form of a printable or coatable ink, ora flexible material with embedded ferromagnetic powder that can belaminated to the bottom surface of the box between the secondaryinductor 105 and the metallic content, such as cans. Other methods ofmaintaining and optimizing the magnetic field and/or the flux densitybetween the primary inductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105 willalso be apparent to those having skill in the electronic and packagingarts, and all such variations are considered equivalent and within thescope of the present invention.

In addition, while illustrated with only one display object 120B and onepower regulator 140, it should be noted that a typical display system100B will include many such display objects 120B stacked vertically oneon top of the other, and correspondingly many primary inductors 125and/or power regulators 140 along the rear, vertical surface of thesupport structure 145, so that each display object 120B may provideillumination from its front portion. In various exemplary embodiments,various feedback mechanisms may be utilized to provide that powerregulators 140 are turned off when there is no display object 120Bcurrently in front of it, for example, when a user has removed a displayobject 120B from the top of the stack of display objects 120B. Suchfeedback mechanisms are illustrated and discussed below with referenceto FIGS. 11 and 13.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary fourth system100C in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view through the C-C′ plane illustrating theexemplary fourth system 100C in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention. In this exemplary system 100C, the display object120C is drinking glass or mug, and the illumination source 110 consistsof a single, background emitting region, with a non-illuminatedforeground image “FUN”, in this case. The support structure 145C is atable top or bar top, typically found in a home, a pub, a restaurant, orother retail store or outlet. The (fourth) power regulator 140C isillustrated as being portable and separate from the support structure145C, and placed on top of an upper surface of the support structure145C, but also could be integrally formed within the support structure145C. The power regulator 140C is illustrated as having an electricalcoupling 195A, such as an electrical cord, for connecting to an ACsource (not illustrated), such as by being plugged into an AC electricaloutlet. In other embodiments, other types of electrical connectors maybe provided, such as when the support structure 145C itself provides anAC or DC power source.

The illumination source 110 is also disposed on a front side of thedisplay object 120C. An electrical coupling 115C is provided between theillumination source 110, illustrated as a pair of wires integrallyformed within the display object 120C, and continuing to the undersideor bottom of the display object 120C, where it connects to the secondaryinductor 105, which also may be integrally formed within the displayobject 120C. In the illustrated system 100C, having the secondaryinductor 105 on the bottom of the display object 120C enables thedisplay object 120C to be energized and provide self-illumination whenplaced on top of the primary inductor 125 of the power regulator 140C.The power regulator 140C and/or the display object 120C may each bedesigned to have appropriate form factors to enable such placement ofthe display object 120C with the secondary inductor 105 in closeproximity to the primary inductor 125, and with the illumination source110 having a proper orientation for the desired display effect.

It should be noted that the present invention may be utilized with anytype of support structure 145, in addition to those illustrated. Forexample, the support structure 145 may be implemented as a magazinerack, providing energy for an illumination source 110 to illuminate afront cover of the displayed magazine. Also for example, the supportstructure 145 may be implemented as a refrigerator or freezer rack orshelf, providing energy for an illumination source 110 to illuminate thefront of the refrigerated or frozen displayed object 120. Numerousdisplay and usage variations will be apparent to those having skill inthe various marketing, merchandizing, advertising and/or manufacturingarts, and all such variations are within the scope of the presentinvention.

As illustrated above, the illumination source 110 may be formed to haveany desired pattern or illumination regions, for both foreground andbackground images or spaces. For example, multiple and separate regionsor zones (each constituting an illumination source 110) may beilluminated concurrently using a single secondary inductor 105, in anytype of mode, such as continuous or blinking In addition, depending uponthe desired complexity of the emitting apparatus 150, the variousregions of the illumination source 110 may be energized simultaneouslyor in other temporal patterns, such as sequentially, and in any of aplurality of illumination modes, such as a continuous mode or a blinkingmode. For example, by inclusion of additional switching and controlelectronics (not separately illustrated) in the emitting apparatus 150,the voltages generated by a single secondary inductor 105 effectivelymay be steered to any selected illumination source 110. Also forexample, without including any such additional switching electronics, aplurality of secondary inductors 105 may be coupled to a correspondingplurality of illumination sources 110, such that depending upon whichsecondary inductor 105 is receiving a magnetic flux during any selectedtime interval, the corresponding illumination source 110 will beenergized, enabling modes such as a sequential mode, in addition tocontinuous and blinking modes. For this latter embodiment, such controlof the energizing of a given secondary inductor 105 can be providedthrough the controller 130 of the power regulator 140, throughenergizing a corresponding primary inductor 125 of a plurality ofprimary inductors 125, i.e., energizing the primary inductor 125 whichcorresponds to the selected or given secondary inductor 105, or througha selected drive frequency. Various illumination sequences and modes mayalso be communicated in real time to a controller 130 of the powerregulator 140, via communication with the power regulator 140, such asthrough an Ethernet or wireless connection (not separately illustrated),and also via other types of sensors (not separately illustrated), suchas proximity, pressure, touch sensors, etc. In addition, also byincluding additional control and switching electronics (not separatelyillustrated), such illumination sources 110 may also be made to be pixeladdressable, to provide variable information dynamically. In theillustrated exemplary embodiments, any and all such illuminationpatterns and images are within the scope of the present invention.

It should also be noted that because a support structure may and islikely to support many display objects 120 at the same time, such as ata grocery store or other retail outlet, dynamic illumination patternsmay be created across the plurality of display objects 120. For example,and without limitation, this may be accomplished by energizing acorresponding primary inductor 125 for a secondary inductor 105 and anillumination source 110 of a first display object 120, energizinganother corresponding primary inductor 125 for a secondary inductor 105and an illumination source 110 of a second display object 120,energizing yet another corresponding primary inductor 125 for asecondary inductor 105 and an illumination source 110 of a third displayobject 120, and so on, in any order, sequencing, and mode, and in anypattern or layout of the plurality of display objects 120.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary firstillumination source 110A in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. Such an illumination source 110A may be implemented as an ELdisplay, such as disclosed in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S.Patent Application Publications US 2006/0138948, US 2006/0138944, and US2007/0040489 (individually and collectively the “EL applications”),which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, with thesame full force and effect as if set forth herein.

Illumination source 110A comprises a plurality of layers or regions,with each layer or region adjacent the next as illustrated, including asubstrate 205, a first conductor 210, a dielectric 215, an emissive(visible light emitting) layer or region 220, a second, transmissiveconductor 225, and typically a color layer 230 and a sealant layer 235(which may also be implemented as a substrate). As described in the ELapplications, the illumination source 110A may be created in differentregions on a substrate 205, such as in the form of the letters “SOAP” inFIG. 2. In addition, and also as described in the EL applications, thefirst conductor 210 and the second, transmissive conductor 225 may beformed in their corresponding layers as a respective plurality of firstconductors 210 and plurality of second, transmissive conductors 225,each of which may be independently or separately energized, such as foran addressable, regional, or dynamic display. Depending on the selectedembodiment, the illumination source 110A also generally includes variouscolor layers (or pixels) 230, which may be printed using a four (ormore) color half-tone process, for example, leveling layers or regions(not separately illustrated), and masking layers (260, illustrated inFIG. 10) or regions, and may also include a third conductor (notseparately illustrated) within or on top of the second, transmissiveconductor 225. Such color layers 230 may comprise one or morefluorescent inks or dyes. Respective electrical contacts or connections256, 251 are provided to the first conductor(s) 210 and the second,transmissive conductor(s) 225, which, when energized (such as through anapplied voltage), provide energy to the emissive layer 220. The energyor power supplied to the emissive layer 220 causes incorporatedlight-emitting compounds or particles, discussed below, to emit light inthe visible (and typically some near-uv) spectra. The second,transmissive conductor 225 allows the visible light generated in theemissive layer 220 to pass through substantially, allowing visibility ofthe emitted light to any observer located on the display side (i.e., thetransmissive conductive layer 225 side) of the illumination source 110A.

Most extraordinary, the illumination source 110A may be produced to bevery flat, with minimal thickness, having a depth on the order of a fewsheets of paper. Indeed, the substrate 205 may be comprised of a singlesheet of paper, for example, with all the remaining layers applied insuccession with varying thicknesses through conventional printing and/orcoating processes known to those of skill in the printing and coatingarts. In exemplary embodiments, the substrate 205 may be part of thedisplay object 120, such as the package, box or container, for example,with the remaining layers printed directly on the display object 120. Inother embodiments, and not separately illustrated (but described in theEL applications), a substantially clear substrate 205 is utilized as atop layer, with the remaining layers also applied in succession, andwith the bottom layer providing sealant layer 235.

For example, working prototypes have been created using a wide varietyof printing and coating processes. As a consequence, as used herein,“printing” means, refers to and includes any and all printing, coating,rolling, spraying, layering, sputtering, deposition, lamination and/oraffixing processes, whether impact or non-impact, currently known ordeveloped in the future, including without limitation screen printing,inkjet printing, electro-optical printing, electroink printing,photoresist and other resist printing, thermal printing, laser jetprinting, magnetic printing, pad printing, flexographic printing, hybridoffset lithography, Gravure and other intaglio printing. All suchprocesses are considered printing processes herein, may be utilizedequivalently, and are within the scope of the present invention.

The various compounds and particles utilized may be contained withinvarious polymers, binders or other dispersion agents which may beheat-cured or dried, air dried under ambient conditions, or uv cured,for example, and all such variations are within the scope of the presentinvention.

A substrate 205 may be formed from virtually any material, with thesuitability of any selected material determined empirically. A substrate205, without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, may compriseone or more of the following, as examples: paper, coated paper, plasticcoated paper, fiber paper, cardboard, poster paper, poster board, books,magazines, newspapers, wooden boards, plywood, and other paper orwood-based products in any selected form; plastic materials in anyselected form (sheets, film, boards, and so on); natural and syntheticrubber materials and products in any selected form; natural andsynthetic fabrics in any selected form; glass, ceramic, and othersilicon or silica-derived materials and products, in any selected form;concrete (cured), stone, and other building materials and products; orany other product, currently existing or created in the future. In anexemplary embodiment, a substrate 205 may be selected which provides adegree of electrical insulation (i.e., has a dielectric constant orinsulating properties sufficient to provide electrical isolation of thefirst conductor 210 on that (second) side of the illumination source110A). In additional exemplary embodiments, any type of substrate 105may be utilized, with additional sealing or encapsulating layers appliedto a surface of the substrate 205 (such as lacquer and vinyl, forexample).

There are primarily two types of methods of constructing the variousillumination sources 110A of the present invention. In a firstbuild-type or “standard build”, as illustrated in FIG. 8, successivelayers are applied to an opaque or non-transmissive substrate 205 (withor without one or more sealing layer(s)), with light being emittedthrough the top layer of the standard build. In other embodimentsreferred to as a second build-type or “reverse build”, as mentionedabove, successive layers are applied in reverse order to a clear orotherwise optically transmissive substrate 205, with light being emittedthrough the substrate layer of the reverse build. For example, polyvinylchloride or other polymers may be utilized as substrates for a “reversebuild”, with a clear substrate forming a top layer, and all remaininglayers applied in a reverse order, such that the first conductor 210 isapplied last or next to last (followed by a protective coating).

The first conductor(s) 210 may then be printed or coated, in anyselected configuration or design, onto the substrate 205, forming one ormore electrodes utilized to provide energy or power to one or moreselected portions of the emissive layer 220 (such as the entire area ofthe emissive layer 220 or selected regions or pixels within the emissivelayer 220). The first conductor(s) 210 may be created in any selectedshape to have corresponding illumination, such as in a plurality ofseparate, electrically isolated strips, to provide row or columnselection, for discrete pixel illumination, or as a plurality of smalldots for individual pixel selection, or as one or more sheets orsections, to provide illumination of one or more sections of theemissive layer 220. For example, a plurality of first conductors 210 maybe created to illuminate different sections of the display independentlyof each other, such as in any selected sequence or pattern. Thethickness (or depth) of the first conductor 210 is not particularlysensitive or significant and may be empirically determined based uponthe selected material and application process, requiring only sufficientthickness to conduct electricity and not have open circuits or otherunwanted conduction gaps, while concomitantly maintaining the desiredaspect ratio or thickness of the finished illumination source 110A.

In the selected embodiments, the first conductor 210 is formed utilizinga conductive ink or polymer, such as a silver (Ag) ink. Such aconductive ink is applied to the substrate 205 via one or the printingprocesses discussed above, creating the first conductor 210. Otherconductive inks or materials may also be utilized to form the firstconductive layer 110, such as copper, tin, aluminum, gold, noble metalsor carbon inks, gels or other liquid or semi-solid materials. Inaddition, any other printable or coatable conductive substances may beutilized equivalently to form the first conductor 210, and are disclosedin the EL applications. A first conductor 210 may also be formed usingsimilar compounds comprising the second, transmissive conductor 225,described below, such that the illumination source 110A may providelight through either or both sides of the illumination source 110A.

Conductive polymers may also be utilized to form the first conductor210. For example, polyethylene-dioxithiophene may be utilized, such asthe polyethylene-dioxithiophene commercially available under the tradename “Orgacon” from Agfa Corp. of Ridgefield Park, N.J., USA. Otherconductive polymers, without limitation, which may be utilizedequivalently include polyaniline and polypyrrole polymers, for example.

In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary inductor 105 is also printed,also using a conductive ink or polymer, and may be printed concurrently,at least in part, with the printing of the first conductor 210. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the secondary inductor 105 is scrapeprinted inside corresponding grooves of a substrate 205, in which aconductive ink or polymer is used to coat a substrate having circulargrooves which will define the secondary inductor 105, and with theexcess conductive ink or polymer scraped off using a doctor blade, withthe result that the conductive ink or polymer which remains in thegrooves is cured and forms the secondary inductor 105. For example, thesecondary inductor 105A having a planar, substantially flat form factor,as illustrated in FIG. 10, may be manufactured using such a scrapeprinting process.

The dielectric layer 215 may be coated or printed over the firstconductor 210, with the emissive layer 220 coated or printed over thedielectric layer 215. For example, one or more coatings of bariumtitanate (BaTiO₃) and/or titanium dioxide, as particles suspended in apolymer, is utilized, both to provide for smoothness for printing ofadditional layers, and to adjust the dielectric constant of theelectroluminescent compound in the emissive layer 220. A wide variety ofdielectric compounds may be utilized to form the various dielectriclayers, and all are within the scope of the present invention, and whichmay be included within heat- or uv-curable binders or other polymers,for example. Exemplary dielectric compounds utilized to form thedielectric layers are disclosed in the EL applications.

The emissive layer 220 is then applied, such as through printing orcoating processes discussed above, over the dielectric layer 215. Theemissive layer 220 may be formed of any substance or compound capable ofor adapted to emit light in the visible spectrum (or otherelectromagnetic radiation at any selected frequency) in response to anapplied electrical field, such as in response to a voltage differencesupplied to the first conductor 210 and the second, transmissiveconductor 225. Such electroluminescent compounds include variousphosphors, which may be provided in any of various forms and with any ofvarious dopants, such as a zinc sulfide or a cadmium sulfide doped withcopper, magnesium, strontium, cesium, rare earths, etc. One suchexemplary phosphor is a zinc sulfide (ZnS-doped) phosphor, which may beprovided in an encapsulated form for ease of use, such as themicro-encapsulated ZnS-doped phosphor encapsulated powder from theDuPont™ Luxprint® electroluminescent polymer thick film materials. Whilenot combined with a dielectric in the exemplary embodiments, thisphosphor may also be combined with a dielectric such as barium titanateor titanium dioxide, to adjust the dielectric constant of this layer.The EL particles forming the emissive layer 220 may be utilized in orsuspended in a polymer form having various binders, and also may beseparately combined with various binders (such as phosphor bindersavailable from DuPont or Conductive Compounds), both to aid the printingor other deposition process, and to provide adhesion of the phosphor tothe underlying and subsequent overlying layers. The emissive layer 220may also be provided in either uv-curable or heat-curable forms. A widevariety of equivalent electroluminescent compounds are available, arewithin the scope of the present invention, and are disclosed in the ELapplications.

In addition, depending upon the selected embodiment, colorants, dyesand/or dopants may be included within any such emissive layer. Inaddition, the phosphors or phosphor capsules utilized to form anemissive layer may include dopants which emit in a particular spectrum,such as green or blue. In those cases, the emissive layer may be printedto define pixels for any given or selected color, such as RGB or CMYK,to provide a color display.

In another exemplary embodiment, one or more color layers 230 areprovided independently of or decoupled from the emissive layer 220,either forming separate pixels in one or more color layer(s), or formingan image to be illuminated, such as a four, six or eight color image,for example.

Following application of the emissive layer 220, the second,transmissive conductor 225 is applied, such as through printing orcoating processes discussed above, over the emissive layer 220 (and anyadditional layers). The second, transmissive conductor 225 may becomprised of any compound which: (1) has sufficient conductivity toenergize selected portions of the apparatus in a predetermined orselected period of time; and (2) has at least a predetermined orselected level of transparency or transmissibility for the selectedwavelength(s) of electromagnetic radiation, such as for portions of thevisible spectrum. In an exemplary embodiment of illumination source110A, polyethylene-dioxithiophene (e.g., Orgacon), a polyaniline orpolypyrrole polymer, indium tin oxide (ITO) and/or antimony tin oxide(ATO) is utilized to form the second, transmissive conductor 225. WhileITO or ATO provides sufficient transparency for visible light, itsimpedance or resistance is comparatively high (e.g., 20 kΩ), generatinga correspondingly comparatively high (i.e., slow) time constant forelectrical transmission across this layer of the apparatus 100, such asdown a corresponding electrode. Other compounds having comparativelyless impedance may also be utilized, such aspolyethylene-dioxithiophene. The second, transmissive conductor 225 mayalso be combined with various binders, such as binders which are curableunder various conditions, such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation (uvcurable).

As mentioned above, in operation, a voltage difference is applied across(1) the second, transmissive conductor 225 and (2) the first conductor210, thereby providing energy to the emissive layer 220. The suppliedvoltage is in the form of alternating current (AC) in the exemplaryembodiments. The supplied voltage is generally over 60 Volts, and may behigher (closer to 100 V) for lower AC frequencies. As discussed below,the peak voltages generated by the secondary inductor 105 also may be ashigh as 100-150V, and in some cases as high as 400 V peak-to-peak,sufficient to energize the emissive layer 220 and without causingelectrical breakdown of the various layers. The supplied voltage shouldcorrespond to the type of electroluminescent compounds used in theemissive layer 220, as they may have varying breakdown voltages and mayemit light at voltages different from that specified above. The energyor power supplied to the emissive layer 220 causes the incorporatedelectroluminescent compounds to emit visible light at selectedfrequencies, depending upon the corresponding bandgap(s) of theparticular or selected dopant(s) utilized within a selectedelectroluminescent compound. As the emitted light passes through thesecond, transmissive conductor 225 for corresponding visibility, theillumination source 110A is adapted to operate and is capable ofoperating as a light emitting display.

Following application of the second, transmissive conductor 225,additional coatings or layers may also be applied to the illuminationsource 110A, such as color layers 230, filters, and/or dyes may beapplied, along with a sealing (encapsulating) layer 235. In selectedembodiments, a plurality of fluorescent or other color conversionmaterials, inks, dyes, pigments or other colorants are utilized toprovide such a color layer 230. Various protective or sealing and/ortopological leveling layers 235 are applied, such as a transparent ortransmissive protective or sealant coatings, such as an ultraviolet (uv)curable sealant coating. Other compounds may also be utilized in one ormore sealing and topological leveling layers, including lacquers andvinyls, and are disclosed in the EL applications. The protective orsealing and/or topological leveling layers 235 may also be formed bylamination over the second, transmissive conductor 225 or color layer230, or over the substrate 205, or both.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary secondillumination source 110B in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. As illustrated, the second illumination source 110B comprisesone or more of a plurality of light emitting diodes 240, and may alsooptionally include one or more blocking or rectifying diodes 245, or maybe coupled to a full wave (AC bridge) rectifier comprising a pluralityof diodes (not separately illustrated). An applied, forward bias voltageacross the one or more LEDs 240 will cause the LEDs to emit light in thevisible spectrum, at a selected wavelength corresponding to the type(s)of LEDs utilized. Not separately illustrated, the illumination source110B also will typically also be sealed or encapsulated. It should alsobe noted that the forward bias voltage for the LEDs 240 is typicallyappreciable less than the voltages required for energizing an ELillumination source 110, such as illumination source 110A. In addition,depending on the selected LEDs 240 and their breakdown voltage under areverse bias, rectification of an AC voltage from the secondary inductor105 may not be necessary. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated,however, blocking diodes 245 (at nodes 250, 255) are utilized to couplethe plurality of light emitting diodes 240 to the secondary inductor105, with both the plurality of light emitting diodes 240 and theblocking diodes comprising the second illumination source 110B. Also,not separately illustrated, to accommodate an AC voltage from thesecondary inductor 105, various strings of the LEDs 240 may be placed inan orientation opposite that illustrated, to be energized during anegative half-cycle of the an AC voltage from the secondary inductor105.

As used herein for purposes of the present invention, the term “LED” andits plural form “LEDs” should be understood to include anyelectroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection- orjunction-based system which is capable of generating radiation inresponse to an electrical signal, including without limitation, varioussemiconductor- or carbon-based structures which emit light in responseto a current or voltage, light emitting polymers, organic LEDs, and soon, including within the visible spectrum, or other spectra such asultraviolet or infrared, of any bandwidth, or of any color or colortemperature.

Also not separately illustrated, the illumination sources 110A and 110Balso will provide the capability for electrical contacts to be formedwith corresponding nodes of the secondary inductor 105, such as througha coupling 115. In an exemplary illumination source 110A, thoseelectrical contacts are provided to each of the relevant firstconductor(s) 210 and second, transmissive conductors 225, and with thecoupling 115 and the secondary inductor 105 integrally formed using aconductive ink or polymer, such as illustrated in FIG. 10 (251, 256). Inother embodiments, such as using illumination source 110B, thoseelectrical contacts are provided at nodes 250, 255 (illustrated in FIG.9) to the secondary inductor 105. In exemplary embodiments, theillumination sources 110A and 110B are coupled directly to the secondaryinductor 105, without any intervening components, such as batteries,capacitors, resistors, switches, etc.

In addition to the EL and LED types of illumination sources 110illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, those having skill in the electronic artswill recognize that other types of light emission sources, whethercurrently known or developed in the future, may be utilizedequivalently, and that all such light emission sources are within thescope of the present invention, with illumination sources 110A and 110Bproviding suitable examples of the inventive concept.

FIG. 10 is a circuit and block diagram illustrating an exemplary fourthemitting apparatus 150C in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the emitting apparatus 150Ccomprises a printed or coated illumination source 110A (previouslydiscussed with reference to FIG. 8), and a secondary inductor 105A,formed by printing a conductive ink or polymer, a portion of which(forming or connecting with lead or coupling 115D) may be printed alongwith the first conductor 210, followed by printing of an electricalinsulator (dielectric), followed by printing the remaining portion ofthe secondary inductor 105A (and also integrally forming or connectingwith lead or coupling 115E). Both the secondary inductor 105A and theillumination source 110A have a substantially flat form factor, highlysuitable for use as an adhesive label, a box, a carton, or any otherform of packaging. In an exemplary embodiment, a silver or copperconductive ink is utilized for the secondary inductor 105A, and formedto have 34 turns, be substantially flat, and have a diameter ofapproximately 10 cm. Coupling of the secondary inductor 105A to thesecond, transmissive conductor 225 and the first conductor 210 isprovided through leads 115E and 115D, respectively, which areillustrated as dashed lines to indicate that they would not be visuallyapparent, being covered by a masking layer 260 and any other sealinglayers 235 or color layers 230. As indicated above, in an exemplaryembodiment, the secondary inductor 105A and leads or couplings 115D and115E may be printed, at least partially concurrently with the firstconductor(s) 210. The exemplary illumination source 110A includesseveral separate emitting regions 270A, 270B, and 270C, which may beconfigured in any shape, design, or color(s), and which may be addressedseparately or simultaneously, in any mode, such as sequential orblinking, as discussed above. In operation, the voltages generated bythe secondary inductor 105A are provided to the first conductor 210 andthe second, transmissive conductor 225, which in turn causes theemissive layer 220 to emit light in selected spectra.

FIG. 11 is a circuit and block diagram illustrating an exemplary fifthpower regulator apparatus 140D and an exemplary fifth emitting apparatus150D in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 12,divided into FIGS. 12A and 12B, is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryfirst timing scheme in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, illustrating exemplary control voltages applied by thecontrol logic block 315 to switching (power) transistors 305 and 310,respectively, with the control logic block 315 effectively alternatingwhich transistor 305, 310 is on and conducting during a given interval,illustrated as switching periods “T” (T₁, T₂, T₃, etc.) (and there alsomay be some time intervals in which both transistors 305, 310 may be inan off state). As illustrated, primary inductor 125A of the powerregulator 140D is implemented as a primary winding of a center-taptransformer, having a first primary inductor 350 and a second primaryinductor 355. In an exemplary embodiment, the center-tap (node 360) ismaintained at about 12 Volts by control logic block 315, although thecenter-tap voltage may vary depending upon the desired voltage levelsfor powering a selected illumination source 110. A power converter 325may be utilized to convert power from a source, such as AC line power ora DC voltage, to the selected voltage levels utilized by the controllogic block 315 to provide gate control voltages for transistors 305 and310 and to provide the center-tap voltage, and may be implemented asknown or becomes known by those having skill in the electronic arts.While transistors 305 and 310 are illustrated as n-channel enhancementMOSFETs, any and all other types of (power) transistors may be utilizedequivalently, such as the bipolar junction transistors illustrated inFIG. 13, and any and all such transistors are considered within thescope of the present invention.

Exemplary power regulator 140D operates using a flyback circuitconfiguration. Following the turning on of transistor 305 and energybeing stored in first primary inductor 350, as transistor 305 is turnedoff, a comparatively large (positive) voltage is generated across firstprimary inductor 350, with a comparable or corresponding voltagegenerated in secondary inductor 105B, illustrated as an inductivecircuit element 340. The voltage in the secondary inductor 105B iscoupled to and energizes an illumination source 110, which then emitslight in the positive-half of a generated AC voltage cycle. (It shouldbe noted that in FIG. 11, the illumination source 110 may be modeled asa corresponding electrical circuit, as an equivalent (Theveninequivalent) series resistor and capacitor (RC) circuit 335, which thenmay be utilized in a second, feedback secondary inductor 175A.) In anext cycle, following the turning on of transistor 310 and energy beingstored in second primary inductor 355, as transistor 310 is turned off,a comparatively large (negative) voltage is generated across secondprimary inductor 355, with a comparable or corresponding voltagegenerated in secondary inductor 105B, illustrated as an inductivecircuit element 340, which is then provided to and energizes theillumination source 110, emitting light in the negative-half of agenerated AC voltage cycle. A typical or exemplary on-time or on pulseto the transistors 305, 310 may have a duration in the range of 3-10microseconds, and an exemplary switching frequency may be in the rangeof 1 kHz to 12 kHz, for example.

The various primary and secondary voltages may be determined through aplurality of factors, including without limitation through the turnsratios of the primary inductor 125A and the secondary inductor 105B,inductor sizing, and also through the switching on-time (pulseduration), with a comparatively larger on time (i.e., charging duration)providing additional energy into the magnetic field of the primaryinductor 125A which is then coupled to the secondary inductor 105B. Inan exemplary embodiment mentioned above, with the secondary inductor105A having 34 turns (such as for ease of printability), a similarnumber of turns may be utilized for the secondary inductor 105B and foreach of the first primary inductor 350 and the second primary inductor355 (e.g., each having 34 turns). Other ratios also may be utilized toprovide the selected step-up or step-down voltage levels or to affectthe inductance levels, for example. For example, the number of turns forthe primary inductor 125 may be selected based upon a selection of peakcurrents and voltages which are convenient or appropriate for the designof the driver circuitry (transistors 305, 310 and control logic block315). Also for example, the number of turns for the secondary inductor105 may be maximized to the extent practicable in order to reduce theresonant frequency of the emitting apparatus 150 (discussed below),which may allow effective energizing of comparatively largerillumination sources 110, which would have a comparatively larger seriesresistance and capacitance (a comparatively larger RC value).

As the illumination source 110 may have a large resistance, the voltagesgenerated in the secondary inductor 105B may tend to be dampedcomparatively quickly. The voltage pulse generated in the secondaryinductor 105B will generally be a function of the resonant frequency ofthe illumination source 110, which in turn is a function of theinductance of the secondary inductor 105B and the capacitance of theillumination source 110 (approximately proportional to 1/2π√{square rootover (LC)}, for a first order approximation), and will be “reflected” orotherwise induced or received in the corresponding primary inductor 350,355. Using voltage feedback (from nodes 365, 370), with the knowncenter-tap 360 voltage, the pulse duration or width of the voltage pulsemay be determined by timing block 320 or control logic block 315, suchas by using a zero-crossing detector (not separately illustrated) asknown or becomes known in the electronic arts. Knowing the inductance ofthe secondary inductor 105B, the capacitance of the illumination source110 may then be determined, and the on-time of the transistors 305, 310and/or the switching frequency may be varied to provide sufficientenergy into the first primary inductor 350 and second primary inductor355 to generate the desired peak voltages in the secondary inductor 105Bfor driving the selected illumination source 110. The measured pulseduration (or width) may also be utilized to adjust the on-time of thetransistors 305, 310 and/or the switching frequency to providebrightness control for the selected illumination source 110. Adjustingthe on-time of the transistors 305, 310 is one method to implementpulse-width modulation for controlling the voltages generated in theprimary inductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105, with any adjustmentof the switching frequency providing frequency modulation forcontrolling the voltages generated in the primary inductor 125 and thesecondary inductor 105. In an exemplary embodiment, such as emittingapparatus 150A illustrated in FIG. 10, the magnitude of the peakvoltages may be as high as 150V or more, with a switching on timeduration and switching frequency as mentioned above.

In addition, measuring the voltage pulse duration (or width) may also beutilized to provide feedback concerning whether any display object 120is present, for example, due to a change in the voltage pulse when thedisplay object 120 is removed (e.g., reflecting a change in the resonantfrequency, from that of the illumination source 110 and secondaryinductor 105B to that of the first or second primary inductor 350, 355only, which would be quite different). As mentioned above, this feedbackmechanism may be utilized to detect the presence of or removal of adisplay object in the various systems 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, and then topower on or power off the corresponding primary inductor(s) 125. Inaddition, this data may be stored in memory 395 (or transmitted withinthe system 100), allowing immediate tracking of inventory, determinationof when display objects 120 are removed from the support structure 145,etc. Those of skill in the art will recognize innumerable types ofinformation which may be tracked and reported, and all such types ofdata collection and reporting are within the scope of the presentinvention.

Other types of feedback may also be included. For example, a separatecircuit having a second, feedback secondary inductor 175A and seriesresistance and capacitance (RC) 335 (to model an illumination source110) optionally may be included within the power regulator 140D, withdetected voltages and/or currents (at nodes 380, 385, and/or 390)utilized to provide corresponding feedback signals to the timing block320 and/or the control logic block 315. For example, the second,feedback secondary inductor 175A and series resistance and capacitance(RC) 335 may be implemented to model a selected, known emittingapparatus 150, and provide corresponding feedback signals to the timingblock 320 and/or the control logic block 315, such as to adjust theon-time durations of the transistors 305 and 310 and/or the switchingfrequency.

The controller 130A of the power regulator 140D, or the controller 130Bof the power regulator 140E discussed below, optionally may also includea memory 395, which may be any type or form of memory circuit or device(also as described below). Such a memory 395 may be utilized, forexample, to store values for switching frequency and/or on timedurations (pulse widths) of the corresponding switches (transistors 305,310 or transistors 400, 410, 415 and 405). In addition, these values mayalso be provided in the form of a look up table (“LUT”) corresponding tomeasured pulse widths or voltages (e.g., induced in the primary inductor125 or as a feedback signal from second, feedback secondary inductor175), for example, which may also simplify the controller 130A, 130Bdesign.

It should also be noted that the AC voltage generated in the secondaryinductor 105 is particularly suitable for an EL-based illuminationsource 110 such as illumination source 110A, thereby avoiding saturationof charge carriers on either side of the emissive layer 220.

FIG. 13 is a circuit and block diagram illustrating an exemplary sixthpower regulator apparatus 140E in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention. FIG. 14, divided into FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D isa diagram illustrating an exemplary second timing scheme in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention, illustrating exemplarycontrol voltages applied by the control logic block 315 to the bases ofswitching (power) transistors 400, 410, 415 and 405, respectively, withthe control logic block 315 effectively alternating which pair oftransistors 400, 415 or transistors 410, 405 are on and conductingduring a given interval, also illustrated as switching periods “T” (T₁,T₂, T₃, etc.) (and with some time intervals in which all transistors400, 405, 410 and 415 may be in an off state). This power regulator 140Emay be utilized with any of the emitting apparatuses 150 previouslydiscussed. The control logic block 315, timing block 320, converter 325,memory 395, and second, feedback secondary inductor 175 function asdiscussed above, and implement a different switching and timing schemefor the bipolar junction transistors 400, 405, 410 and 415. In addition,feedback signals may also be taken from nodes 425, 430 coupled to theprimary inductor 125B, illustrated as inductor 420, in addition tofeedback signals provided by the second, feedback secondary inductor175, and feedback from the waveforms induced by the secondary inductor105 (also obtainable at nodes 425, 430). While bipolar junctiontransistors 400, 410 are illustrated as p-type, and while bipolarjunction transistors 405, 415 are illustrated as n-type, other types of(power) transistors may be utilized equivalently, and any and all suchtransistors are considered within the scope of the present invention.

In operation, transistors 400 and 415 are turned on at least partiallyduring the same time interval (FIGS. 14A and 14C) while transistors 405and 410 are in an off state, for current to flow in a path throughtransistor 400, node 425, inductor 420, node 430, and transistor 415,and with a voltage having a first polarity developed across inductor 420when transistors 400 and 415 are turned off, with a comparable orcorresponding voltage generated in a secondary inductor 105 (notseparately illustrated in FIG. 13). During a next switching cycle,transistors 410 and 405 are turned on at least partially during the sametime interval (FIGS. 14B and 14D) while transistors 400 and 415 are inan off state, for current to flow in a path through transistor 410, node430, inductor 420, node 425, and transistor 405, and with a voltagehaving a second, opposite polarity developed across inductor 420 whentransistors 410 and 405 are turned off, and with a comparable orcorresponding voltage also generated in a secondary inductor 105 (notseparately illustrated in FIG. 13).

The various voltages also may be determined through the turns ratios ofthe primary inductor 125B and the secondary inductor 105, inductorsizes, and through the switching on-time durations, as mentioned above.Also as mentioned above, the pulse widths (duration of the on-times oftransistors 400, 405, 410 and 415) and/or the switching frequency may bevaried to provide sufficient energy into the primary inductor 125B togenerate the desired peak voltages in a secondary inductor 105 fordriving the selected illumination source 110.

Any type of power regulator 140 topology may be utilized within thescope of the present invention. In addition to the illustratedtopologies, such as the flyback topology, the power regulator 140circuitry may be configured, for example and without limitation, to havea boost, buck, buck-boost, quadratic, cascaded (or two-stage), forward,resonant (or resonant combinations) converter or regulator topology, orany other AC-AC, AC-DC, DC-AC, or DC-DC converter or regulator circuittopology, including non-switching converter, regulator, or transformer(having separable primary and secondary coils) topologies, and any andall such circuit topologies are within the scope of the presentinvention.

As indicated above, the controller 130 may be any type of controller orprocessor, and may be embodied as any type of digital logic adapted toperform the functionality discussed herein. As the term controller orprocessor is used herein, a controller or processor may include use of asingle integrated circuit (“IC”), or may include use of a plurality ofintegrated circuits or other components connected, arranged or groupedtogether, such as controllers, microprocessors, digital signalprocessors (“DSPs”), parallel processors, multiple core processors,custom ICs, application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), adaptive computing ICs, associatedmemory (such as RAM, DRAM and ROM), and other ICs and components. As aconsequence, as used herein, the term controller or processor should beunderstood to equivalently mean and include a single IC, or arrangementof custom ICs, ASICs, processors, microprocessors, controllers, FPGAs,adaptive computing ICs, or some other grouping of integrated circuitswhich perform the functions discussed herein, with any associatedmemory, such as microprocessor memory or additional RAM, DRAM, SDRAM,SRAM, MRAM, ROM, FLASH, EPROM or E²PROM. A controller or processor (suchas controller 130), with its associated memory, may be adapted orconfigured (via programming, FPGA interconnection, or hard-wiring) toperform the methodology of the invention, as discussed above and below.For example, the methodology may be programmed and stored, in acontroller 130 with its associated memory (and/or memory 395) and otherequivalent components, as a set of program instructions or other code(or equivalent configuration or other program) for subsequent executionwhen the controller or processor is operative (i.e., powered on andfunctioning). Equivalently, when the controller or processor mayimplemented in whole or part as FPGAs, custom ICs and/or ASICs, theFPGAs, custom ICs or ASICs also may be designed, configured and/orhard-wired to implement the methodology of the invention. For example,the controller or processor may be implemented as an arrangement ofcontrollers, microprocessors, DSPs and/or ASICs, which are respectivelyprogrammed, designed, adapted or configured to implement the methodologyof the invention, in conjunction with a memory 395.

The memory 395, which may include a look up table (“LUT”) or datarepository (or database), may be embodied in any number of forms,including within any computer or other machine-readable data storagemedium, memory device or other storage or communication device forstorage or communication of information, currently known or whichbecomes available in the future, including, but not limited to, a memoryintegrated circuit (“IC”), or memory portion of an integrated circuit(such as the resident memory within a controller 130 or processor IC),whether volatile or non-volatile, whether removable or non-removable,including without limitation RAM, FLASH, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, FeRAM,ROM, EPROM or E²PROM, or any other form of memory device, such as amagnetic hard drive, an optical drive, a magnetic disk or tape drive, ahard disk drive, other machine-readable storage or memory media such asa floppy disk, a CDROM, a CD-RW, digital versatile disk (DVD) or otheroptical memory, or any other type of memory, storage medium, or datastorage apparatus or circuit, which is known or which becomes known,depending upon the selected embodiment. In addition, such computerreadable media includes any form of tangible communication media whichembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data. The memory 395 may be adapted to store variouslook up tables, parameters, coefficients, other information and data,programs or instructions (of the software of the present invention), andother types of tables such as database tables.

As indicated above, the controller or processor may be programmed, usingsoftware and data structures of the invention, for example, to performthe methodology of the present invention. As a consequence, the systemand method of the present invention may be embodied as software whichprovides such programming or other instructions, such as a set ofinstructions and/or metadata embodied within a tangible, computer orother machine-readable medium, discussed above. In addition, metadatamay also be utilized to define the various data structures of a look uptable or a database. Such software may be in the form of source orobject code, by way of example and without limitation. Source codefurther may be compiled into some form of instructions or object code(including assembly language instructions or configuration information).The software, source code or metadata of the present invention may beembodied as any type of code, such as C, C++, SystemC, LISA, XML, Ruby,Perl, PHP, Java, Brew, SQL and its variations (e.g., SQL 99 orproprietary versions of SQL), DB2, Oracle, or any other type ofprogramming or scripting language which performs the functionalitydiscussed herein, including various hardware definition or hardwaremodeling languages (e.g., Verilog, VHDL, RTL) and resulting databasefiles (e.g., GDSII). As a consequence, a “construct”, “programconstruct”, “software construct” or “software”, as used equivalentlyherein, means and refers to any programming language, of any kind, withany syntax or signatures, which provides or can be interpreted toprovide the associated functionality or methodology specified (wheninstantiated or loaded into a processor or computer and executed,including the c controller 130, for example).

The software, metadata, or other source code of the present inventionand any resulting bit file (object code, database, or look up table) maybe embodied within any tangible storage medium, such as any of thecomputer or other machine-readable data storage media, ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data, such as discussed above with respect to the memory 395,e.g., a floppy disk, a CDROM, a CD-RW, a DVD, a magnetic hard drive, anoptical drive, or any other type of data storage apparatus or medium, asmentioned above.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention, and provides a usefulsummary. Beginning with start step 500, the method generates a firstprimary voltage having a first primary polarity (and a magnetic flux) ina primary inductor 125, step 505. The magnetic flux is received by asecondary inductor 105, which in turn generates a first secondaryvoltage having a first secondary polarity, step 510. Depending upon therelative or comparative orientation of the turns comprising the primaryinductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105, the first primary polarityand the first secondary polarity may have the same polarity or oppositepolarities. Similarly, the magnitudes of the first primary and secondaryvoltages depend upon the comparative or relative number of turns in theprimary inductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105, inductor sizing,switching on-time duration, etc., as discussed above. The firstsecondary voltage is applied (directly or indirectly) to an illuminationsource 110, step 515, preferably without additional modification orshaping in an exemplary embodiment (such as provided by interveningelectronic components), which energizes the illumination source 110 toemit light in the visible spectrum, step 520.

The method then generates a second primary voltage having a secondprimary polarity opposite to the first primary polarity (and generates acorresponding magnetic flux) in the primary inductor 125, step 525. Themagnetic flux is received by a secondary inductor 105, which in turngenerates a second secondary voltage having a second secondary polarity,step 530, which is also opposite to the first secondary polarity. Again,depending upon the relative or comparative orientation of the turnscomprising the primary inductor 125 and the secondary inductor 105, thesecond primary polarity and the second secondary polarity may have thesame polarity or opposite polarities. The second secondary voltage isapplied directly to an illumination source 110, step 535, whichenergizes the illumination source 110 to emit light in the visiblespectrum, step 540.

During this process, the method optionally may receive feedback signals,step 545. Using the feedback signals, the method may determine if theswitching on-time durations and/or switching frequency should beadjusted, step 550, and if so, the method may adjust the switchingon-time durations and/or switching frequency, thereby adjusting themagnitudes of the first and second primary voltages, and indirectlyadjusting the magnitudes of the first and second secondary voltages,step 555, which in turn affects the energizing of and brightnessproduced by the illumination source 110, and also may be utilized todetect the presence or absence of a display object 120, and power on oroff the primary inductor 125. When the method is to continue (e.g., theprimary inductor 125 or power regulator 140 has not been turned into anoff state), step 560, the method returns to step 505 and iterates,repeating steps 505-555, and otherwise the method may end, return step565.

Those having skill in the electronic arts may also consider steps 510,515 and 520 to either occur substantially concurrently or to be part ofa single step, and may also consider steps 530, 535 and 540 to eitheroccur substantially concurrently or to be part of a single step,depending upon the circuit design of the emitting apparatus 150. Forexample, because of the direct coupling of the secondary inductor 105Aor 105B as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the generated secondaryvoltage is automatically applied to and thereby energizes theillumination source 110. These steps may also be separate or occursequentially in other circuit topologies, however, and the separability,order or combination of these steps should not be regarded as limiting.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative and notrestrictive of the invention. In the description herein, numerousspecific details are provided, such as examples of electroniccomponents, electronic and structural connections, materials, andstructural variations, to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant artwill recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with otherapparatus, systems, assemblies, components, materials, parts, etc. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notspecifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects ofembodiments of the present invention. In addition, the various Figuresare not drawn to scale and should not be regarded as limiting.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or a specific “embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and notnecessarily in all embodiments, and further, are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the presentinvention may be combined in any suitable manner and in any suitablecombination with one or more other embodiments, including the use ofselected features without corresponding use of other features. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularapplication, situation or material to the essential scope and spirit ofthe present invention. It is to be understood that other variations andmodifications of the embodiments of the present invention described andillustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and areto be considered part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe Figures can also be implemented in a more separate or integratedmanner, or even removed or rendered inoperable in certain cases, as maybe useful in accordance with a particular application. Integrally formedcombinations of components are also within the scope of the invention,particularly for embodiments in which a separation or combination ofdiscrete components is unclear or indiscernible. In addition, use of theterm “coupled” herein, including in its various forms such as “coupling”or “couplable”, unless explicitly indicated to be a direct couplingwithout intervening components, means and includes any direct orindirect electrical, structural or magnetic coupling, connection orattachment, or adaptation or capability for such a direct or indirectelectrical, structural or magnetic coupling, connection or attachment,including integrally formed components and components which are coupledvia or through another component.

Furthermore, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should beconsidered only exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwisespecifically noted. Combinations of components of steps will also beconsidered within the scope of the present invention, particularly wherethe ability to separate or combine is unclear or foreseeable. Thedisjunctive term “or”, as used herein and throughout the claims thatfollow, is generally intended to mean “and/or”, having both conjunctiveand disjunctive meanings (and is not confined to an “exclusive or”meaning), unless otherwise indicated. As used in the description hereinand throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includeplural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also asused in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the presentinvention, including what is described in the summary or in theabstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention tothe precise forms disclosed herein. From the foregoing, it will beobserved that numerous variations, modifications and substitutions areintended and may be effected without departing from the spirit and scopeof the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that nolimitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatusillustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course,intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fallwithin the scope of the claims.

It is claimed:
 1. A system for illuminating a display object, the system comprising: an emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; a power regulator magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising a controller, a primary inductor, and a memory coupled to the controller, the controller to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, and the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the emitting apparatus further comprises at least one blocking diode or rectifying diode coupled to the at least one light emitting diode.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises a second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to the controller.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first secondary inductor and at least a portion of the illumination source are incorporated within or attached to a merchandise package.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the merchandise package has a spacer structure between the first secondary inductor and a space or location for holding merchandise.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the illumination source is to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a merchandise display system, further comprising: a support structure to support the power regulator within a predetermined proximity to at least one display object, the display object having the emitting apparatus and incorporated merchandise.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the power regulator is disposed along or within a horizontal member of the support structure.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the power regulator is disposed along or within a rear, vertical member of the support structure.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator is portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator is couplable to an AC or DC power source.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the DC power source is provided through an Ethernet connection.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator further comprises a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller further is to determine or modify the pulse duration parameter of the induced voltage or current.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller further is to determine or modify an on-time duration parameter or a switching frequency parameter of the plurality of switches or transistors.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the emitting apparatus is substantially sealed.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein the first secondary inductor and at least a portion of the illumination source are incorporated within an adhesive label or package label.
 21. The system of claim 1, wherein the display object comprises a package and package contents, and wherein the emitting apparatus is integrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to the package of the display object.
 22. The system of claim 1, wherein the display object comprises a container and liquid contents, and wherein the emitting apparatus is integrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to the container of the display object.
 23. The system of claim 1, wherein the power regulator has a flyback configuration.
 24. The system of claim 1, wherein the first secondary inductor is directly coupled to the illumination source.
 25. The system of claim 1, wherein the first secondary inductor is substantially planar.
 26. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary inductor is substantially planar.
 27. The system of claim 1, wherein the emitting apparatus further comprises: at least one color layer.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one color layer comprises a plurality of fluorescent inks or dyes.
 29. An illumination system comprising: a support structure to support a plurality of display objects; a plurality of emitting apparatuses, each emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses coupled to a corresponding display object of the plurality of display objects, each emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, each illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; and one or more power regulators coupled to the support structure, a power regulator comprising one or more controllers, one or more primary inductors coupled to the one or more controllers, and at least one memory, each controller to provide a voltage or current to a selected primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof; wherein each illumination source is to emit visible light when the coupled first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of a corresponding primary inductor when the power regulator is in an on-state.
 30. The system of claim 29, wherein each emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses further comprises at least one blocking diode or rectifying diode coupled to the at least one light emitting diode.
 31. The system of claim 29, wherein the power regulator further comprises at least one second, feedback secondary inductor coupled to the one or more controllers.
 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more controllers are to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the at least one second, feedback secondary inductor.
 33. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more controllers are to detect a presence or an absence of an emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses using one or more feedback signals from the at least one second, feedback secondary inductor.
 34. The system of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of a first emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses is integrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to a package or a container of the display object.
 35. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more power regulators are disposed along or within a horizontal member of the support structure or along or within a rear, vertical member of the support structure.
 36. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more power regulators are portable and disposed to be positioned on top of a horizontal surface of a support structure.
 37. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more controllers are to detect a presence or an absence of an emitting apparatus of the plurality of emitting apparatuses.
 38. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more power regulators further comprise a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the one or more primary inductors.
 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the one or more controllers are to determine or modify the pulse duration parameter of the induced voltage or current.
 40. The system of claim 38, wherein the one or more controllers are to determine or modify an on-time duration parameter or a switching frequency parameter of the plurality of switches or transistors.
 41. A method of illuminating a display object, an illumination source coupled to or integrated with the display object, the method comprising: retrieving from a memory at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof; energizing a primary inductor to provide a first primary voltage; receiving magnetic flux from the primary inductor and generating a first secondary voltage in a first, planar secondary inductor; receiving magnetic flux from the primary inductor and generating a second secondary voltage in a second secondary inductor; using the second secondary voltage, generating a feedback signal to a controller; applying the first secondary voltage to the illumination source; and energizing the illumination source to emit visible light.
 42. The method of claim 41, further comprising: using the controller, detecting a presence of the display object.
 43. The method of claim 41, further comprising: using the controller, detecting when the display object is no longer within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor.
 44. The method of claim 41, further comprising: using the controller, detecting a pulse duration of a voltage across the primary inductor; and adjusting the first primary voltage.
 45. The method of claim 41, further comprising: using the controller, adjusting a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the first primary voltage.
 46. A system for illuminating a display object, the system comprising: an emitting apparatus comprising an illumination source and a first secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source, the illumination source comprising at least one light emitting diode; a power regulator magnetically couplable to the emitting apparatus, the power regulator comprising a controller, a primary inductor, a second, feedback secondary inductor, a plurality of switches or transistors coupled to the primary inductor, and a memory coupled to the controller, the controller to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage, and the memory to store at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of: a pulse duration parameter of an induced voltage or current, a switching frequency parameter, a pulse width parameter, a switch on time duration parameter, a switching sequence parameter, an illumination sequence parameter, and combinations thereof; wherein the controller is to determine or modify the at least one parameter using a feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.
 47. The system of claim 46, wherein the controller further is to detect a presence or an absence of the emitting apparatus using the feedback signal from the second, feedback secondary inductor.
 48. The system of claim 46, wherein the controller further is to adjust a brightness of an illumination source by adjusting the first primary voltage.
 49. The system of claim 46, wherein at least a portion of the emitting apparatus is integrally formed with, or printed on, or adhesively attached to a package or a container of the display object.
 50. The system of claim 46, wherein the illumination source is to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the first secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. 